Ruth, Jonah, Esther / Eugene F. Roop.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 285-294) and indexes.

Print version record.

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In three of the Bible's most compelling short stories, Eugene F. Roop draws attention to the distinctive narrative characteristics of these magnificent dramas. Such scrutiny opens new vistas of interpretation that can undergird the faith, life, and neighborly relations of the church. As we enter the world of these struggles and events, we will experience in the stories sorrow and laughter, hope and loyalty, and God's mercy and grace. - Publisher.

Electronic reproduction. [S.l.] : HathiTrust Digital Library, 2011. MiAaHDL

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Cover Page -- Half Title Page -- Believers Church Bible Commentary -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Abbreviations -- Contents -- Series Foreword -- Author's Preface -- Ruth -- Ruth: A Story of Famine, Friendship, and Fertility -- Overview -- The Consummate Short Story Where Does Ruth Belong? -- A Glance at the Whole -- Meaning and Message -- An Outline of the Major Units How to Read Ruth -- Part 1: Introduction -- Ruth 1:1-5 Famine, Displacement, and Death -- * Famine in the Land (Text in Biblical Context) -- + People Living at Risk (Text in Life of the Church)

Part 2: The Story of Two Widows -- Ruth 1:6-22 Episode 1 Return to Bethlehem -- * Naomi and Job -- + Complaint Against God -- Ruth 2:1-23 Episode 2 Going for Grain -- * The Poor in the Biblical Tradition -- + God Who Blesses -- Ruth 3:1-18 Episode 3 Seeking Security -- * The Childless Widow -- + Beyond Assistance to Security -- Ruth 4:1-12 Episode 4 Agreement at the Gate -- * The Unrecorded World of Women -- + The Person of Substance -- Part 3 Conclusion and Coda Ruth 4:13-22 -- Ruth 4:13-22 -- Birth and Naming of a Son, 4:13-17 -- Genealogy of Perez, 4:18-22 -- * The Women in the Genealogy

+ Good and Faithful Servant -- Outline of Ruth -- Jonah -- Jonah: A Story for All Times -- Overview -- Jonah as Understood in the Past. -- What Manner of Narrative? -- Message and Meaning -- A Glance at the Whole -- An Outline of the Major Units -- Part 1: The Unfulfilled Prophetic Mission -- Jonah 1:1-3 The Commissioning of Jonah -- The Commissioning of Jonah, 1:1-3 -- * Commissioning of the Prophet -- + Reluctant Response -- Jonah 1:4-2:10 The Drama at Sea -- On the Sea, 1:4-16 -- * Foreigners Acknowledge God -- + God and Nature -- Under the Sea, 1:17-2:10 -- * Psalm of Thanksgiving

+ Jonah: Saint or Sinner? -- Part 2: The Unfulfilled Prophet -- Jonah 3:1-3a The Recommissioning of Jonah -- * Commissioning the Prophet-Again -- + Human Freedom and Divine Persistence -- Jonah 3:3b-4:11 The Drama on Land -- In the City, 3:3b-10 -- * The Sign of Jonah -- + Divine Freedom and the Promise of Forgiveness -- Outside the City, 4:1-11 -- * The Concluding Question -- + The Mystery of Divine Compassion -- Outline of Jonah -- Esther -- Esther: The Orphan Queen -- Controversy and Concerns -- Different Versions of Esther -- A Festival Novella -- Meaning and Message -- A Glance at the Whole

An Outline of the Major Units. -- Scene 1 Tension in the Royal Court -- Esther 1:1-2:20 Episode 1 Conflict in the Royal Family -- Deposing of Vashti, 1:1-22 -- * Israel in the Persian Empire -- + The Fabric of Society -- Selection of Esther, 2:1-20 -- * From Insignificance to Importance -- + Heroes of Faith -- Esther 2:21-3:6 Episode 2 Conflict Among the Royal Courtiers -- Conspiracy Against the King, 2:21-23 -- Conflict Between Courtiers, 3:1-6 -- * Choosing Disobedience -- + Mixed Motives -- Scene 2 Action and Counteraction -- Esther 3:7-4:17 Episode 1 Haman Versus Mordecai

English.

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